Covering vacancies in staffing allowed me to gain valuable experience working as the primary OT across three wards, each with a different service provision. With a variable caseload of 30-35 patients, as well as group activities to provide (relaxation, baking, creative projects), time management and prioritization were invaluable skills. Discovery WardA closing recovery ward for adult men aiming to discharge back into the community following an l acute admission that has required treatment for up to 50 days on average. Here I learned to balance service provision with a fast paced assessment and treatment directive. I fostered a strong role for OT within the MDT, and was able to be flexible in my approach for those patients l with more complex needs. The bulk of my work consisted of using non-standardised initial assessments as well as the Model Of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST) to assess patient’s occupational performance. Mott HouseRehabilitation ward for adult men and women requiring prolonged treatment for mental ill-health. My role was to offer more long-term strategies and interventions to meet patient’s complex needs. The average length of stay was over a year, and interventions would range from graded exposure to public transport, basic cooking skills, to managing complex debts and finances. I set up a gardening group which was highly successful in providing meaningful activity as well as patient involvement and ownership over their environment. I identified concerns with the professionalism of an activity assistant and was able to reduce these by supporting her weaknesses and promoting her strengths.

Working as an OT within a MDT in a Low-Secure hospital I supported patients with a range of difficulties including: autism, learning disabilities, personality disorder, mental ill-health, and challenging behaviour. Based within the Occupational Therapy Centre I am responsible for supporting a team of activity assistants providing therapeutic activities. I had a dedicated case-load of up to 24 patients whom I supported through: assessment of ADLs, interests and sensory needs; implementing 1:1 and group interventions; and supporting routine and daily activities across leisure, self-care and productivity domains.